//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 // Story: Where Is My Love? // by TheMyth //------------------------------// “So, Dinky… what’s Sugarcube Corner like?” Blueblood asked his daughter, wondering why the filly wanted to show him to a particular store he had yet to visit in Ponyville. The only thing the stallion knew was that the establishment housed one of the Elements of Harmony. Dinky, who was reclining on her father’s back, opened her eyes to reveal them to be the size of pinheads. She gasped as she turned her head sharply, looking at Blueblood as though he had transformed into a changeling. “You mean you never went to Sugarcube Corner and tried one of Pinkie’s cupcakes!?” The filly asked her father, only to receive a shaking head from him. “Really?” She asked again, dubious at her father’s words. “Really, I mean… haven’t really had time to explore the whole of Ponyville, what with looking for your mother.” “Oh…” Dinky trailed off with her eyes looking upwards in thought. If Pinkie hasn’t met him yet and he hasn’t seen Sugarcube Corner yet either… that means he hasn’t had a party yet! The filly began to titter as she pressed her hooves against her muzzle, suppressing her laughter. Blueblood’s ears perked at the sound of his daughter’s giggling. “What’s so funny?” He asked Dinky, cocking his brow at the filly clearing her voice. “Nothing!” Dinky blurted out, her eyes darting from one corner to the other. Not willing to press the matter further, Blueblood only shrugged as he turned his attention back to where he was walking. “So Sugarcube Corner is one big bakery?” He asked Dinky. “Well yeah…” “Have you ever tried to sell your muffin recipe to them?” “No…  they make their own.” Dinky answered as she rested her head against her father’s neck. “But they’re not as great as mommy’s muffins.” The filly added in as Blueblood continued walking. Blueblood grimaced a little as he lowered his head in shame. “To be honest, I’ve never tasted one of your mother’s muffins before.” The stallion mused, his ears perked the sound of Dinky letting loose a gasp. “How can you not have had one of mommy’s special muffins!?” Dinky asked Blueblood as though he were insane. “Well… I…” Blueblood couldn’t find a proper answer to his daughter’s question. As he trailed off more, he could feel Dinky’s eyes boring into him from behind, causing him to sweat a little. Once they were in front of a building that looked to be made of gingerbread, he felt the filly jump off his back and saw Dinky run off into the distance. “Dinky?” He called out to her, but his words fell on deaf ears. The stallion stood there for a moment before he heard wings flapping from above, causing him to look up to see Derpy. Once Derpy landed in front of Blueblood, she looked to where Blueblood’s eyes drifted to. “Where’s Dinky going?” She asked curiously as she scratched her head in confusion. “I don’t know… I just told her I’ve never tried a muffin made by you before and she just ran off…” Blueblood answered her honestly, receiving a titter from Derpy. Before the stallion could respond to the mare’s laughter, Dinky came back with a paper bag dangling with her teeth acting as a grip. “Here you go, daddy.” Dinky spoke through her teeth as she gave the bag to Blueblood, smiling as her father took a look at what was inside. So this is one of Derpy’s muffins? Blueblood took a hold of the muffin with his magic, the aroma immediately invading his nose as he brought it closer to his muzzle. Once he took a bite out of it, Blueblood froze as the taste lingered in his mouth. Oh my gosh… He sank his teeth into it again, a smile etched onto his muzzle as he swallowed the lump of food. “That’s the best muffin I’ve ever tasted.” Derpy could not help but blush as she turned her head away. “T-thanks,” the mare said bashfully as she heard Dinky giggles and felt Blueblood’s eyes looking at her. “Let’s go inside!” Dinky rushed towards the entrance of Sugarcube Corner, waiting impatiently for both her parents. Once Derpy and Blueblood stood behind her, the little filly pushed the door open, only to be met with darkness on the other side. “Hey! Why’s it so dark here?” Once Blueblood and Derpy were inside with their daughter, the door behind the closed with a snap, causing Dinky to yelp and huddle close against her parents. “Where’s the lights?” The filly asked out loud, about to head towards a switch she knew was on the wall. But before she could, somepony beat her to it. “SURPRISE!!!” What the?! Blueblood looked around is shock as the lights went on, revealing a multitude of ponies inside the establishment. He saw a number of banners and ribbons decorating the room they were in, along with party streamers and tables littered with food and refreshments. What caught the stallion’s attention were the words hanging above the ponies; ‘Happy Welcoming/Reunion of Family Party’. “Hi!” Pinkie Pie came bouncing towards the trio, beaming ecstatically as she circled around. “I hope you like this party! I had to wait for a whole week before I could host you one Blueblood! Or do you like Blue? You can tell me. I mean I would have hosted one for you on the spot, but my floppy ears and springy tail told me I should wait until you met a certain pony again! But who would have thought it was Derpy? And then it hit me, you two were in love! And little Dinky was also your—” The pink mare couldn’t continue as her mouth was blocked by a certain white unicorn mare coming from behind. “Pinkie Pie! Let them enjoy this celebration, will you?” Rarity said as she held the pink mare in her magic, receiving a nod before she released her friend from her magic. “Okay…” Pinkie said slowly before she grinned widely again. “Let’s party!” She shouted out loud, receiving cheers from the ponies around her as the music started playing. The pink earth pony mingled in with the crowd, leaving Blueblood and the others behind. Before the stallion could say anything, Dinky rushed towards a group of foals her age, nuzzling one colt in particular. Just as Blueblood was about to ask who this colt was, he felt Derpy’s hoof rest upon his shoulder, causing him to turn around and see the mare shaking her head. “Leave her be,” Derpy instructed Blueblood as she pulled him towards one side, where they were greeted by a friend of the pegasus mare. Blossomforth approached Derpy, nuzzling her friend before looking at Blueblood with cautionary eyes. “So, um… it’s nice to see you again, Mr Blueblood…” The pegasus said politely, forcing a smile as she chuckled nervously. “Please, just call me Blue,” Blueblood replied evenly as he shook her hoof. “Here’s your drink, Blossom…” Poste Haste said as he arrived with two drinks held by his wings, giving one to the mare then pressing against her side and draping his free wing over her back. Seeing the slightly confused look he was getting from Derpy, he gave a quiet chuckle. “Yeah… guess it’s time to make it official, huh?” Derpy guided Blueblood around the room, introducing him to some of the ponies she knew well, whilst Pinkie and Rarity kept an eye on the special guests to make sure everything went well. “Well now, this certainly is an awkward experience…” The white unicorn mare commented as she took a bite of the cake she was holding. “Don’t worry! I got it all planned out… just need to last a few more minutes until Applejack and Twilight happen.” “What do you mean?” Rarity questioned her pink friend as she looked around the party and saw no sign of the said alicorn and earth pony. “Where are those two anyway?” “So when were you going to tell me!?” Applejack barked out as she sat opposite Twilight, the table between littered with mugs long empty of cider, which she and the alicorn had been imbibing since the start of the party. Ah knew she couldn’t handle her alcohol, not after last cider season… Applejack shivered at the memories of her friend’s antics that day. Twilight took a swig of her full mug before slamming it onto the table, her cheeks becoming red as she started to let loose a series of hiccups. “I whas gonna tell ya when I fout it was the rit time!” The alicorn blurted out as her vision became blurred. “And why are ya complaining abou’ meesh getting a coltfriend?! Didn’t ya say I had to open up more?” As the two mares continued arguing, their respective brothers stood at the back of the room, observing the scene. Shining planted his hoof to his face as he let loose a sigh. So, it’s not just Cadance that is an embarrassment as a princess when drunk. The unicorn stallion’s attention turned to Big Macintosh, who didn’t seemed phased by it at all. “Your sister sure has a high tolerance…” Shining said casually as he continued to look at his sister’s deteriorating state. Big Macintosh only nodded before taking a sip of ale before speaking. “Eeyup… but this is nothing compared to what mah granny can take.” The red stallion commented as a shiver went down his spine, a vague memory coming back to him when Granny Smith out drank the stallion one evening. “But listen, Shining… about me and yer sister—” “Hey, I’m sorry about sounding like a jerk back at the library.” Shining interrupted Big Macintosh as he smiled at him. “Still as an older brother, can’t help but worry about my LSBFF. That means—” “Little Sister Best Friend Forever.” Big Macintosh finished the sentence, chuckling a little as he shook his head. “Twily told me all about the abbreviations you and her share.” The red stallion informed Shining. Shining Armour rolled his eyes as he smirked. “Of course, but you seem like a good stallion for my sister.” The white unicorn pounded Big Macintosh shoulder as he laughed. “So I approve of you.” “Thank you.” “However…” Shining’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Big Macintosh. “If you even think of breaking my baby sister’s heart, I will break your spine… understood?” The stallion questioned the other, keeping his eyes locked on him. Big Macintosh nodded stoically as he kept his eyes on Shining. “Over mah dead body will Ah break her heart.” The red stallion clarified. Before anymore words could be spoken between them, Twilight’s cackling began to emit from the table where she and Applejack were seated. “Ya look ridiculous Jackie!” Twilight laughed uncontrollably as she began to see doubles of Applejack staring at her in disbelief. “That’s such a nice nickname for my little sister! From now on, you’re my little Jackie!” The alicorn’s head fell to the table, where she continued to giggle fiercely. “Ah beg yer pardon, Twiligh’... but Ah’m three years older than ya.” Twilight’s head rocketed upwards as she snorted with her eyes beginning to twitch. She looked around her surroundings and began to tear up as her lips started to quiver. “I forgot Spike again!” The alicorn started to bawl her eyes out as she got up from the table and tried to exit the building, but couldn’t stand straight. “Silly Twilight!” Pinkie came just in time to catch the alicorn from falling. “Spike’s right over there!” The pink mare pointed to the baby dragon speaking to a pink unicorn filly. “See, you didn’t forget your b—” The earth pony’s words became abruptly when her friend charge towards the two adolescents. Twilight scooped Spike immediately when she reached him, embracing him in her arms as she cried into him. “Shpike, my baby!” The alicorn wailed as she stroked the dragon’s spines and nuzzled him furiously. “I’m sho shorry! I’ve been a bad mother to yous. Pleash forgive me! Mommy loves you so much!” Somepony bury me please! Spike was frozen in embarrassment, only able to return the hug he was forced into by Twilight. He did indeed love her as though he were her son, but for him to be in such a position in public was borderline humiliating. Just as the alicorn started to kiss his forehead, the mare was gently pulled away by both Pinkie Pie and Big Macintosh. “Oooh, Biggie! Not in front of the children~” Twilight cooed to her coltfriend as she was placed on his back, her eyes closed slowly as she was being carried away by the red stallion. “Yous should be on tops of me!” After a few moments, Ruby trotted next to Spike with concerned eyes as she placed a hoof on his shoulder and started to shake him. “Are you okay, Spike?” She asked curiously, albeit worriedly. Not getting a response, the filly planted her lips against his cheeks to bring the dragon back to his senses. “Huh?” Spike’s eyes blinked rapidly as he blushed deeply, with Ruby doing the same. “Where’s Mo-Twilight?” Ruby giggled before she nuzzled her dragon. “She’s been taken home, by your daddy.” The filly teased Spike with a mischievous smiling present on her muzzle. Before he could retort, the filly dragged him off to the dance floor, where they both started to dance to the music. This night has become one of the most random parties ever… Rainbow Dash shook her head in disbelief as she witnessed Twilight’s drunken fiasco. So far, she had seen all but one of her friends, and if there was one pony to find somepony else at a party, it was Pinkie. Rainbow spotted her getting glass of punch, trotting up behind her. “Say Pinkie…” the party planner turned and faced her prismatically maned pegasus friend, giving a nod. “Have you seen Fluttershy?” Pinkie pointed to one of the corners, Rainbow’s gaze following the outstretched hoof, her eyes going wide. Sat in a stallion’s lap, Fluttershy had her back the room, blocking the stallion’s face with her own head. Movement a little lower drew Rainbow’s stare down, where the stallion was gently stroking one of Fluttershy’s wings, which were hanging limply down. With a scowl on her face, Rainbow began to work her way over, at least until Pinkie jumped in front of her. “Oh no you don’t! There hasn’t been a ‘new foal party’ for a while, and I won’t let you ruin it!” Humming happily as she walked along the streets of Ponyville, Amethyst Star was looking forward to her night of foalsitting. It had taken some time, but eventually the Cake twins let others besides their parents and Pinkie Pie look after them, Amethyst included. The Cake twins were fun enough to look after, but Amethyst enjoyed one particular filly more than the others, yet she hadn’t seen her for a few days yet. Giving a sigh, Amethyst turned a corner and her eyes settled on Sugarcube corner, where they went wide. There was a steady trickle of ponies going in and out, meaning there was a party going on, and that she wasn’t actually needed, but there had been no message to say so. With a confused frown, Amethyst joined the ponies going into the building, looking at all the occupants. Spotting Mrs Cake sat in one of the booths with Pound and Pumpkin she began to make her way over, but another filly stepped into her path, a massive grin on her face. “Amy! Amy! You’re here!” shouted an ecstatic Dinky, nearly bouncing in place. “Hey there Dinky. What’s going on?” Asked the teenaged mare, seeing none of the usual banners hanging when Sugarcube Corner hosted a party, so it wasn’t somepony’s birthday. Amethyst felt tugging on her foreleg, letting Dinky lead her through the crowds, over to where a unicorn stallion was waiting, and her first thought upon seeing him didn’t stay in her head. “Oh Celestia… so hot!” “That’s my daddy you’re talking about there, Amy.” Dinky uttered, walking over to her father and reaching up to hug him around the neck. “Daddy, this is Amethyst Star, my foalsitter. I just call her Amy.” It was a good thing Amethyst had a pink coat, since her cheeks would have stood out when the stallion bowed and took her hoof in hers, giving it a kiss. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Star. My name is Blueblood.” Oh Celestia, Luna, Discord, and anypony else! His voice! That was the thought that managed to stay inside her head, but on the outside she had no expression save that of wide eyes and open mouth, which made Blueblood chuckle as he looked to Dinky. “It seems your foalsitter has frozen. Would you mind getting her a drink?” Whilst his daughter ran off into the small crowd, Blueblood gently nudged Amethyst towards one of the booths where Derpy was sitting with Blossomforth and Poste Haste, the unicorn stallion nudging the seemingly out of it mare into an empty space. “I thought Dinky would be here by now. I’ll go look for her.” With that, Blueblood turned and slipped into the crowd. Little did he know that Dinky had indeed retrieved a glass of punch, but she had been waylaid when a colt stood in her path and bowed, offering her his hoof. Which is why the glass that was in her magic was now resting on a table, and she was pressed against Pipsqueak’s side, the colt’s foreleg wrapped around her. Looking around, Dinky watched as the guests mingled, throwing smiles her way when they looked over. Slight movement in the corner nearest to them drew her attention, where she saw Fluttershy with her wings spread wide, her muzzle pressed against a stallion’s. Dinky briefly wondered what it felt like, and a moment later she pulled away from a confused Pipsqueak. Blushes formed on their cheeks as Dinky placed a hoof on Pip’s, slowly leaning closer to him. Her eyes closed, her heart pounding and her stomach fluttered, then she could feel his breaths on her muzzle, knowing they was almost there. So when she was pulled away it was easy to understand her confusion, opening her eyes to find herself encased in a blue aura and facing her father, who was looking at her with a slight scowl. “And what exactly is going in here?” Blueblood asked, turning his gaze to the quaking colt. His features softened when he hear Dinky sniffing, looking back to see she had tears building. “You…” Dinky sniffed before her tears began to cascade from her eyes. “You ruined my first kiss!” The filly shouted out, causing Blueblood’s magic to dispel. Once she was back on the ground, the unicorn filly ran out of the building, leaving Pip and her father behind. “Your drink, Lady Vain.” “About damn time!” the mare snapped, glaring at her family’s head butler, but the stallion simply didn’t react, standing to the side to await further instructions. “White Glove, fetch me today’s Canterot Guardian, then take the rest of the night off.” “Of course, Lady Vain, and thank you.” It was a matter of seconds before the paper was in Amber Vain’s hooves, White Glove not even looking back as he hurried from the room. If she noticed him go, Amber didn’t say anything, anger in her eyes as she stared at the front page, which had the headline being a quote from Blueblood himself; ‘A Prince, His Perfect Pegasus, And Their Pony Princess’, The whole paper, aside from the radio schedule and sports section, was full of the Canterlot elite and their speculation as to who exactly the pegasus mare was. Several had made comments about her eyes, but nothing that they could prove, and most had simply been about how adorable his daughter was. If that wasn’t bad enough the middle page was a full spread picture of the happy family, with the Princesses standing right behind them. The next several pages were full of more photos, the filly laughing and playing with the two alicorns, as well as several guards, including a one-eyed Katakan. “Filthy half breed… her pegasus blood will ruin her magical abilities.” Amber threw the paper into the nearby fire, watching with glee as the photographs slowly burned. One caught her eye, Blueblood holding the filly whilst the pegasus mare watched on. The first area to go on that one was the pegasus, an idea forming in Amber’s mind as she stared at the remaining ponies. “...of course! It’s so simple!” Jumping to her desk, Amber pulled out a sheet of paper and started to write frantically, frowning a little when she looked her idea over. To pull this off, she’d need to call in some pretty big markers, or offer them to ponies of lower status than herself, but in the end… “You will be mine, Blueblood, one way or another, but you will be mine!” Blueblood looked to Derpy for support, but the intense glare he got instead made him shiver. Turning away from her, he set one hoof on the stairs, then slowly ascended to the first floor. It was easy to find Dinky’s room, for her name was placed on the door in letters surrounded by stars, and the stallion gave a gentle knock. “GO AWAY!” Giving a sigh, Blueblood pushed the door open and trotted in, seeing Dinky scowl at him for a moment before rolling over and putting her back to him. Walking over, he sat on the bed and placed a hoof on her back, and he was shocked when she reached around and knocked it away. Still, he was there to make peace, and thus he presented his offer. “Dinky, I am sorry about earlier. Look at it from my perspective, I do not know that colt, and I find you two like that. How would you react?” A little bit of relief filled the stallion as his daughter reacted in a slightly more positive way, giving him a shrug. “I want to make it up to you Dinky, and if you like this colt, then I want to meet him.” Dinky finally rolled over to look at him, her eyes puffy and tear streaks down her cheeks. Hanging his head a little, Blueblood opened his hooves and waited, smiling when the filly came into his embrace. He was about to continue when he felt a none too gentle hit from a hoof on the tip of his muzzle. “Don’t you do that again, daddy,” Dinky said as she laid her head on his shoulder, wrapping her forehooves around his neck. “Or I’ll hit harder. When do you want to meet Pip?” “Well… there’s a really big party in Canterlot next week, one that important ponies attend. And if this… Pip is important to you, he’s important to me. Think he’ll go?” Blueblood asked, giving his daughter a gentle nuzzle. He felt her nod weakly, realising that the filly’s day had been very long and the exhaustion had finally caught up. He held her until her breathing was light, then set her on the bed and pulled the covers over her, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead. “Good night, my little princess.” Leaving the room, Blueblood gently closed the door behind him, not surprised in the slightest to find Derpy waiting for him. They went down into the lounge where two glasses of wine had been poured, and a crackling fire started. Although not as bad as winter, the autumn evenings were getting chilly, so Blueblood accepted the silent invitation to stay the night. Twilight certainly wasn’t in any state to worry about her guest’s whereabouts. Having already established there was no spare room, Blueblood hopped onto the couch and lay back a little, expecting Derpy to take one of the two matching chairs. Instead, she climbed on top of him, her back against his chest, giving a happy sigh when his forehooves wrapped around her barrel. “So, Dinky… you’ve invited her to the gala?” Derpy asked in a somewhat tired voice. “But what about me? Do I get to attend?” “My perfect pegasus, you never need an invite to come to the castle. In fact, and I am loathe to tell you this, but you are expected to be there, even though we have only just found each other in the past few days.” Blueblood gave Derpy a gently squeeze, nuzzling the back of her head. “If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to.” “N-no, I’ll go. Just… just promise me you’ll not disappear on me again,” Derpy said quietly, a hint of fear in her voice. Blueblood went to answer, but decided to show her instead of telling, rolling her over so that they were barrel to barrel. He stroked her cheek with a hoof, then slid it behind her head and tugged her down gently, passionately kissing her. She wrapped her forehooves around his neck and held him there, letting out a pleased gasp when they parted, a pleasant warmth filling her body as she lay her head under his chin. The two remained there in silence, watching the fire’s destructive and hypnotising dance, the unicorn occasionally floating their drinks over so they could have a sip. Eventually the glasses became empty and the fire began to die down, Derpy sliding from Blueblood and stretching. Blueblood went to ask if she could spare a blanket when he saw her outstretched hoof, which he took with a soft smile, extinguishing the last of the flames with his magic. He followed her back upstairs and to the door just past Dinky’s, which opened to reveal a decent sized room with a double bed. Derpy climbed in first, holding the covers up and tapping the space next to her. With a nervous swallow, Blueblood silently closed the door behind him then joined the mare on the mattress, letting her slip into his hooves. She kissed him softly on the lips then nuzzled under his chin, laying still. Blueblood couldn’t think of anything to make the end of his night even more perfect than it already was.